The Pantex Lightning Mapping Array (LMA)

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2024

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2511116· OSTI ID:2511116

Kersh, Steve ^[1]

---

1. Pantex Plant (PTX), Amarillo, TX (United States)

Pantex is one of three entities in the state of Texas to own and operate a lightning mapping array (LMA). The other two are Texas Tech (research purposes) and the City of Houston/Texas A&M (research and public safety in parks). An LMA detects static discharges inside a cloud, which in some cases, could be a precursor to an actual lightning strike. The way the LMA detects these static discharges by using an antenna tuned to the 60-66 Mhz frequency range that “listens” for static discharges coming from the clouds. We likely all remember listening to AM radio stations when storms were in the area. We would hear “static” on the radio when a lightning strike would occur. That was obviously due to the actual lightning strike. Sometimes, we would hear “static” on the AM radio, but NOT see an actual lightning strike. That static that we heard was due to a static discharge inside the cloud, but just not an actual lightning strike.

• Research Organization: Pantex Plant (PTX), Amarillo, TX (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• DOE Contract Number: 89233224CNA000004; NA0001942
• OSTI ID: 2511116
• Report Number(s): IROS--316983
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES